Children&#39;s toy waterslide

ABSTRACT

The present invention includes a children&#39;s toy waterslide incorporating a sliding surface, an obstacle region, a splash zone, and an obstacle or obstacles. The sliding surface extends through the obstacle region and into the splash zone. Water may be sprayed along the length of the sliding surface by a sprinkler tube. The obstacle or obstacles may be placed on or over the sliding surface in the obstacle region. The obstacle may be a “limbo stick” bar, a water tunnel with dump bucket, and/or inflatable bowling-pin-type objects.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/356,452, filed Feb. 11, 2002 and entitled“Children's Toy Waterslide”.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to children's toywaterslides. More specifically, the invention relates to children's toywaterslides having obstacles and tunnels included along the waterslidepath.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Children's toy waterslides are well known in the art. Forexample, Wham-O, Inc.'s SLIP'N SLIDE® waterslide has been used for yearsby children to cool off, in an entertaining way, on warm summer days.Conventional waterslides may become dull after repeated use.

[0004] Adding obstacles to a waterslide may enhance the play value ofthe slide. Such a water slide should be enjoyable to use, provide playvalue and be safe to operate. The toy should not require complicatedinstructions or operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention includes a children's toy waterslideincorporating a sliding surface, an obstacle region, a splash zone, andan obstacle or obstacles. The sliding surface extends through theobstacle region and into the splash zone. Water may be sprayed along thelength of the sliding surface by a sprinkler tube. The obstacle orobstacles may be placed on or over the sliding surface in the obstacleregion. The obstacle may be a “limbo stick” bar, a water tunnel withdump bucket, and/or inflatable bowling-pin-type objects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a children's toy waterslide according toone embodiment of the present invention.

[0007]FIG. 2 is a end view of the s toy of FIG. 1, showing the entranceof an obstacle tunnel.

[0008]FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional side view of the obstacle tunneltaken along Line 3-3, showing a trigger paddle interconnected with adump bucket.

[0009]FIG. 3B is the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3A, showing a childentering the obstacle tunnel.

[0010]FIG. 3C is the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3A, showing a childtraveling through the obstacle tunnel triggering the trigger paddle anddumping the dump bucket.

[0011]FIG. 4 is a n and view of the obstacle tunnel of FIG. 3A, showingthe exit of the obstacle tunnel.

[0012]FIG. 5 is a plan view of a children's toy waterslide according toone embodiment of the present invention, showing a “limbo stick”obstacle.

[0013]FIG. 6 is a side view of a “limbo stick” obstacle of FIG. 5.

[0014]FIG. 7 is an end view of the “limbo stick” obstacle of FIG. 6.

[0015]FIG. 8 is a plan view of a children's toy waterslide according toone embodiment of the present invention, showing a set of inflatableobstacles.

[0016]FIG. 9 is a side view of the waterslide of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

[0017] A children's toy waterslide constructed according to the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 1, and indicated generally at 10. Waterslide10 includes a sliding surface 12, a sprinkler tube 14, an obstacletunnel 16, and a splash zone 18. Sliding surface 12 may be a long narrowsheet of plastic, in the range of 15-25 feet in length and in the rangeof 25-40 inches wide. For example, sliding surface 12 may be around 22feet long and 33 inches wide. Sliding surface 12 may be made of anysuitable plastic material, such as polyvinylchorhide, polyethylene,polypropylene, etc.

[0018] Sprinkler tube 14 extends along one of the long sides of slidingsurface 12 and may be configured with a hose fitting to attach a watersupply. Sprinkler tube 14 may include a series of spaced-apart aperturesthat allow water to spray out of the tube when under pressure. The waterbeing sprayed out of the sprinkler tube makes the sliding surface 12slippery enhancing the play value of the water slide. For example,sprinkler tube 14 will be formed integrally with sliding surface 12.

[0019] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, sliding surface 12 extendsthrough obstacle tunnel 16 and into splash zone 18. An end bumper 20surrounds splash zone 18. Splash zone 18 slows a sliding child down nearthe end of the waterslide because water pools in this area. This deeperwater slows down a slider. End bumper 20 may be inflatable and mayprovide cushion to a slider, as the slider enters the splash zone.Preventing a slider from sliding off the end of waterslide 10, enhancesthe play value of the waterslide.

[0020] Obstacle tunnel 16 may be positioned over a portion of slidingsurface 12 prior to the splash zone 18 of the waterslide. Obstacletunnel 16 includes a front tunnel support 22, a front-tunnel-supportconnector 24, upper tunnel rails 26, lower tunnel rails 28, and reartunnel support 30. Obstacle tunnel 16 may be positioned over a portionof sliding surface 12 and extends lengthwise along waterslide 10. Fronttunnel support 22 is positioned so that a slider enters the tunnel fromthis end, and includes two sides interconnected by front-tunnel-supportconnector 24. Positioned between the two sides of front tunnel support22, a trigger paddle 32 hangs from a trigger pivot rod 34. Trigger pivotrod 34 may be supported by front tunnel support 22. Trigger paddle 32extends down into the path of travel of a slider using waterslide 10leaving a gap of around 5 inches between the bottom of trigger paddle 32and the sliding surface, as best shown in FIG. 2. Trigger pivot rod 34may be positioned at a height of around 18-22 inches above the ground.Trigger paddle 32 includes a cord connection point 36 positioned abovetrigger pivot rod 34 on trigger paddle 32. Connection point 36 movestoward the front of obstacle tunnel 16 as trigger paddle 32 moves towardthe rear because connection point 36 is positioned above trigger pivotrod 34.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, front tunnel support 22 may have an overallheight in the range of 20-26 inches and an overall width in the range of35-50 inches. For example, the overall height of front tunnel support 22may be around 24 inches and the overall width may be around 45 inches.

[0022]FIG. 1 illustrates front tunnel support 22 linked to rear tunnelsupport 30 by the upper and lower tunnel rails. Specifically, uppertunnel rails 26 extend between upper portions of the front and reartunnel supports. In the same manner, lower tunnel rails 18 extendbetween lower portions of the front and rear tunnel supports.

[0023] Rear tunnel support 30 provides a platform for dump bucket 38.Dump bucket 38 is configured to pivot about a dump-bucket pivot rod 40.Dump-bucket pivot rod 40 extends through dump bucket 38 and is supportedon each end by rear tunnel support 30. FIG. 4 shows rear tunnel support30 supporting dump-bucket pivot rod 40. Dump bucket 38 includes adump-bucket connection point 42 positioned on the underside of the dumpbucket below where pivot rod 40 extends through dump bucket 38.

[0024] A cord 44 connects from connection point 36 on trigger paddle 32to dump-bucket connection point 42 on the bottom of dump bucket 38, asshown in FIGS. 1, 3A, 3B, and 3C. Dump-bucket 38 may be tipped over by apulling force applied to dump-bucket connection The length of cord 44 issized to include a certain amount of slack between trigger paddle 32 anddump bucket 38. A child sliding through obstacle tunnel 16 travels at aspeed in the range of 2 to 10 miles per hour. The slack in cord 44provides a delay between a child's impact with trigger paddle 32 and thepulling of cord 44 to dump the contents of bucket 38. The delay enablesthe child to slide through the tunnel and arrive directly below thebucket as its contents pour out, dunking or soaking the child fromabove.

[0025] Obstacle tunnel 16 is configured to dump water onto a slider, asbest illustrated by the cut away views of FIGS. 3A-3C. FIG. 3A showsobstacle tunnel 16 prior to a slider entering the tunnel. Trigger paddle32 hangs essentially straight down toward the ground. Cord 44 connectstrigger paddle 32 with dump bucket 38 with a slight amount of slack.

[0026] A sliding child enters obstacle tunnel 16 at the front tunnelsupport 22, as shown in FIG. 3B. The slider impacts trigger paddle 32upon entering obstacle tunnel 16 causing the trigger paddle to swing uprearwardly out of the sliders path. The up rearward swing of triggerpaddle 32 causes cord 44 to tighten and pulls on bucket connection point42.

[0027] The slider continues through obstacle tunnel 16 as trigger paddle32 continues to swing up out of the slider's path. After the slack hasbeen removed from cord 44 it pulls on bucket connection point 42,causing the lower portion of bucket 38 to move and tipping bucket 38over. Obstacle tunnel 16 and cord 44 are sized in length so that thecontents of bucket 38 spill out at the rear of obstacle tunnel 16 atapproximately the same time as a child is exiting the tunnel, as bestshown in FIG. 3C. Obstacle tunnel 16 may range in length from 25-50inches, and may be around 41 inches in length.

[0028] Turning to FIG. 5, another embodiment of a waterslide accordingto the present invention is shown, indicated generally at 50. Waterslide50 includes a slide surface 52 and a sprinkler tube 54 extending throughan obstacle 56 into a splash zone 58. An end bumper 60 cushions a slideras they reach the end of waterslide 50.

[0029] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, obstacle 56 includes a“limbo stick” or stick 62 extending across slide surface 52 in aslider's path. Obstacle 56 also includes vertical support members 64 andstick holders 66. Stick 62 is sized to fit on vertical support members64 and extend across slide surface 52. Support members 64 and stickholders 66 positioned on each side of slide surface 52 support distalends of stick 62, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0030] Vertical support members 64 may have three different sets ofstick holders 66 extending rearward and slightly upward from verticalsupport members 64, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Each set of stick holders66 may be positioned to hold stick 62 at a different height above slidesurface 52.

[0031] This construction enables children to compete with one another tosee who can slide on waterslide 50 underneath stick 62 without knockingthe stick off stick holders 66. As a child travels along waterslide 50between vertical support members 64, the goal is to remain low enough toslip under stick 62. Stick 62 may be knocked off stick holders 66without knocking over vertical support members 64 because the stickrests on the backside of vertical support member 64. As a child movesunder stick 62 any contact with the stick will cause it to move upwardand rearward dislodging the stick from holders 66. Children can thenreposition stick 62 to a lower set of stick holders 66 and continuecompeting.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, another embodiment of a waterslideaccording to the present invention is shown, indicated generally at 70.Waterslide 70 includes a slide surface 72 and a sprinkler tube 74extending through a set of obstacles 76 into a splash zone 78. An endbumper 80 cushions a sliding child who reaches the end of waterslide 70.

[0033] The set of obstacles 76 may be inflatable bowling-pin-type likebodies. The set of obstacles 76 may be arranged to form an obstaclecourse that a child may slide through. Obstacles 76 may include indiciaprinted thereon so that they resemble asteroids or other objects, suchas characters, or animals, etc. A child may position obstacles 76anywhere along slide surface 72. A sliding child then acts as a humanbowling ball traveling along waterslide 70. The child may attempt toknock down all of the obstacles 76, or may try to avoid the obstaclesduring travel down along waterslide 70.

[0034] It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompassesmultiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each ofthese inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specificembodiments thereof, as disclosed and illustrated herein, are not to beconsidered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. Thesubject matter of the inventions include all novel and non-obviouscombinations and sub-combinations of the various elements, features,functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Where claims recite “a” or“a first” element or equivalent thereof, such claims should beunderstood to include incorporation of one or more such elements,neither requiring, nor excluding two or more such elements.

[0035] It is believed that the following claims particularly point outcertain combinations and sub-combinations that are directed to one ofthe disclosed inventions and are novel and non-obvious. Inventionsembodied in other combinations and sub-combinations of features,functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendmentof those claims or presentation of new claims in this or a relatedapplication. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to adifferent invention or directed to the same invention, whetherdifferent, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims,are also regarded as included within the subject matter of theinventions of the present disclosure.

We claim:
 1. A children's waterslide comprising: a sliding surfacedimensioned with a long dimension for children to slide along having afront end where children enter the waterslide, a middle portion wherechildren slide along the waterslide, and an end portion where childrenstop; a sprinkler tube extending along one side of the long dimensionconfigured to spray water along the length of the sliding surfaceproviding a shallow layer of water thereon; an obstacle regionpositioned within the middle portion and configured to provide childrenwith a break-away obstacle to contact while sliding along the waterslide; and a splash zone configured to slow a sliding child down.
 2. Thechildren's waterslide of claim 1, wherein the sprinkler tube includes ahose fitting to attach a water supply.
 3. The children's waterslide ofclaim 2, wherein the includes a series of spaced-apart apertures thatallow water to spray of the tube when under pressure and coat thesliding surface with a thin layer of water to enhance the slipperynature of the waterslide.
 4. The children's waterslide of claim 1,wherein the splash zone includes a pool of water deeper than the shallowlayer along the length of the waterslide.
 5. The children's waterslideof claim 4, wherein the splash zone includes an inflatable bumperconfigured to provide containment for the pool of water and to providecushion to a sliding child.
 6. The children's waterslide of claim 1,wherein the obstacle region includes a tunnel positioned over a part ofthe middle portion of the sliding surface.
 7. The children's waterslideof claim 6, wherein the tunnel includes: a front tunnel supportconfigured to support the tunnel and provide a tunnel entrance forchildren to slide through; a rear tunnel support configured to supportthe tunnel and provide a tunnel exit for children to slide through; anda plurality of tunnel rails connecting the front tunnel support and therear tunnel support.
 8. The children's waterslide of claim 7, whereinthe tunnel includes: a trigger paddle pivotally mounted to the fronttunnel support on a pivot rod and configured to extend down into thepath of travel of a sliding child; a dump bucket pivotally mounted on abucket pivot to the rear tunnel support and configured to store waterfor dumping on a sliding child as they exit the rear tunnel support; anda cord connecting a connection point on the trigger paddle above thepivot rod to a connection point on the dump bucket below the bucketpivot configured to cause the dump bucket to pour water out when thecord is pulled.
 9. The children's waterslide of claim 8, wherein thecord is dimensioned to include slack between the trigger paddle and thedump bucket and the slack is adjusted to time the dump of the dumpbucket to coincide with the sliding child passing beneath the dumpbucket.
 10. The children's waterslide of claim 1, wherein the obstacleregion includes: a pair of vertical supports members positioned oneither side of the sliding surface having a plurality of stick holderspositioned at discrete location on the supports; and a horizontal stickconfigured to rest on the stick holders at a selected discrete location.11. The children's waterslide of claim 10, wherein the stick holdersextend rearward and slightly upward from the vertical support members.12. The children's waterslide of claim 11, wherein the plurality ofstick holders includes three stick holders on each vertical supportmember at different heights above the sliding surface.
 13. Thechildren's waterslide of claim 1, wherein the obstacle region includes aplurality of obstacles configured for positioning within the obstacleregion at any location therewithin.
 14. The children's waterslide ofclaim 13, wherein the plurality of obstacles are inflatable.
 15. Thechildren's waterslide of claim 14, wherein the plurality of obstaclesare bowling-pin-type bodies.
 16. The children's waterslide of claim 14,wherein the plurality of obstacles include indicia printed thereon tomake the obstacles resemble asteroids.
 17. The children's waterslide ofclaim 14, wherein the plurality of obstacles include indicia printedthereon to make the obstacles resemble animals.
 18. The children'swaterslide of claim 14, wherein the plurality of obstacles includeindicia printed thereon to make the obstacles resemble a fictionalcharacter.